Babysitting for 2 year old - Disney vs. Royal Caribbean

[Tggrtoes]

Hi everyone,

We are considering taking a short (4-5 day) cruise this fall with our son who will be 2 years old. We have cruised with him before, but had grandparents with us then... even so, we vowed that (for us) we would not do it without the kids club or babysitting available. As much as we love our son, we need our time away. :p

 

I'd love to do Disney, but it is a bit more expensive. Any folks really sold on Disney that want to try to convince me? :D I do love their curtained off area so that DS can't see us from his bed. Also are they really firm on their 10 hour maximum in the babysitting area? Not sure we'd really want more than that, but just wondering....

 

For Royal Caribbean, it's a bit cheaper and we're previous cruisers with them so get better pricing. Have not cruised with DS on them though... how does the babysitting work. Will they only be in room or could they go for walks on deck or whatever? (this is what I've heard -that it's crew members who want extra money... right?) how is availability? Is it only at night or could we potentially do in-port days too? (not sure I'd feel comfy doing it, but good to know anyway)

 

Finally - is there another line that we should look at that has the babysitting available and is in that basic price range? Sorry for all the misc. questions, but know you guys will be able to help! TIA!

 

Stacey

[jam82]

We choose to cruise on Carnival because of the child care. My two year old will be leaving on cruise #7 next week. Camp Carnival is awesome and my son has a blast there. They are open almost all day (aside from a couple hours at certain meal times) from around 9am(earlier if it's an early port day) -10pm. Then from 10pm-3am for $6 per hour. The service can't be beat. I know Disney and RCCL also have awesome kids programs, but for a two year old, I believe Carnival is the most comprehensive.

 

I have never cruised Disney, although I hear it is great, it is expensive. I'd rather spend the money on a cat 12 suite on Carnival. We have cruised on Celebrity, RCCL, NCL, and Costa and honestly the first time we were on Carnival it was somewhat disappointing compared to other cruises. However, the time my husband and I get to spend together is worth all the frills we miss. Once our son is potty trained I'm going to give RCCL another go, until then, we will stick to Carnival.

 

If you are looking for another great family vacation with great children care, check out Club Med. Their locations in Punta Cana, Ixtapa and Sandpiper all have Baby Med or Petite Med. We went and had the most relaxing vacation EVER! The food was to die for. I couldn't even compare it cruise food. But, it's not cruising.

[boulders]

Babysitting on RCCL is available 8 a.m.-2 a.m. It is first come first served and depends on the crew members availability. It's best to sign up at the purser's desk as soon as you board. They will take the children on deck if you agree. My babysitter was disappointed that all my 2 year old wanted to do was sit in the cabin. She wanted to go for walks. The cost of the babysitting is about $10/hour.

 

We sailed Carnival at Spring Break. I didn't like it as much as the Voyager class ships on RCCL, my ds3 and dd10 loved the kids club.

 

RCCL has curtained off sleeping areas, but Carnival doesn't.

[skoi13]

We are fans of DCL, but there are limitations (besides price). Their official kids' program starts at three and potty trained. They have babysitting at Flounder's Reef, but you have to book it ahead, or when you get on the ship. We never had our kids in Flounder's so I don't know if there's a limit on the time you can book, or on how many times you use the service. They don't have in cabin baby sitting, though I've read other lines do.

 

We're looking for another line other than Disney for future cruising, because with six of us, Disney is quite pricey. We do like the ships (very old fashioned/Art Deco in decor besides all the Disney things everywhere). We like the split bathrooms so someone can use one while someone else is showering. The crew is great, especially dining room staff. We never had bad service, and in fact, all of our servers have remembered us from sailing to sailing. The private island is nice. In my experience, they're very good with enforcing the adult only areas. Good drink of the day specials.

 

That said- there are limitations with the kids' program (as mentioned above). The family pool is very small. There's not much to do after eleven or so. They do have adult clubs and lounges, but we're usually so exhausted we all pass out by 11:00, and have never been. Shows are pretty good. No casino.

 

I've only been on short cruises on other lines, so can't advise on them. But from what I've seen and read, aside from disaster at sea, pirate attack, or flu pandemic, just about any of the major lines will give you a great vacation.

[TexasMommy]

When are son was 2 and under he did DCL 3 times and Celebrity once. Celebrity didn't work out well at all. 4 hour minimums for the sitter, unavailability, etc.

 

Obviously by the fact we went back and back to DCL shows we were satifisfied. Flounders worked out great. We always got him in when we needed and they were flexible if we canceled or changed time. Most importantly, he had a good time there and didn't have seperation anxiety.

[crusinmama06]

Yes, on RCCL, the child can be taken to some public areas at night by the sitter if that's what you choose. They have the Royal Tots/Infants sessions at night, story time, so many the sitter could even take him there for a little while?

 

If you go with RCCL, look for a ship with a baby splash zone if he isn't potty trained yet (Freedom/Liberty/Independence)

 

And after just getting back from our 3rd Carnival, I am swearing off Carnival for a while, so you won't see me recommending them. ;)

[stlwaterbaby]

Yes, on RCCL, the child can be taken to some public areas at night by the sitter if that's what you choose. They have the Royal Tots/Infants sessions at night, story time, so many the sitter could even take him there for a little while?

 

If you go with RCCL, look for a ship with a baby splash zone if he isn't potty trained yet (Freedom/Liberty/Independence)

 

And after just getting back from our 3rd Carnival, I am swearing off Carnival for a while, so you won't see me recommending them. ;)

 

Do you know where the Baby Splash Zone is - What Deck Number on the Freedom Class Ships? Do you happen to have a picture of what it looks like? Thanks in advance!

 

Thanks OP for the thread. We are in the process of thinking about Royal vs. Disney, and we are ending up thinking about Royal more seriously because of our son's age and the price of the cruise. We also just got back from a Royal cruise, and it was a blast!!! Exceptional!!!

[stlwaterbaby]

Also, this is what it says on the RCCL website :

 

Onboard Policies

 

Q: Are there any restrictions regarding children in the pools?

A: Please note: Due to Public health regulations, children in diapers, swim diapers, pull-ups, or who are not COMPLETELY toilet trained are not allowed in the pools, whirlpools, or H2O zone.

On the Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas children in diapers, or who are not toilet trained may use the Baby Splash Zone" specially designated for them.

 

It doesn't mention the Indy. :) Is there a Baby Splash Zone on the Indy?

[Tggrtoes]

Thanks for the replies and tips everyone... we obviously have lots to think about. I hadn't even considered Carnival, but now am thinking we should add it to the mix... might be worth it to take some losses on some of the luxury items we like in order to have the Camp Carnival option included in the price. But, DH is kinda a cruise snob - lol - so it might be a tough sell for him.

[jam82]

Well, no one else gave the thumbs up for Carnival, but with a two year old and parents who want kids club/babysitting I still say that it's the best bet. Since your DH is a cruise snob, (I have my own cruise snob so I know how it can be), call Carnival and try to book an Owner's Suite on one of the Fantasy class ships. It's 1000 square feet, balcony is about 10x10, private bedroom, dual vanity, walk-in closet, jacuzzi tub, wet bar, dining table. Everyone says you don't spend anytime in the cabin, but if you have this cabin you will. It's the best way to cruise Carnival. If it's not available, book a cat 12. I bet a cat 12 wouldn't cost anymore than a regular room would on Disney. Just a thought. Good luck with your decision.

[crusinmama06]

On the Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas children in diapers, or who are not toilet trained may use the Baby Splash Zone" specially designated for them.

 

It doesn't mention the Indy. :) Is there a Baby Splash Zone on the Indy?

 

Yep, that policy was written and posted before Indy was built. They never updated the web site...lol.

 

Here are the pictures of the H20 zone on Indy...

 

 

 

 

 

[lephysteria]

I wish the Liberty was like the Indy.

 

It looks like on the Indy you can take a diapered baby into the zone.

 

On the Liberty, you couldn't hardly take a diapered baby onto the pool deck anywhere! LOL (j/k)